The History and Religious Heritage of Old Cairo

Its Fortress, Churches, Synagogue, and Mosque

A celebration of the history of religious life in the early Egyptian capital, in text and pictures.In this lavishly illustrated celebration of a very special place, renowned photographer Sherif Sonbol's remarkable images of the fortress, churches, synagogue, and mosque illuminate the living fabric of the ancient and medieval stones, while Gawdat Gabra describes the history of Old Cairo from the time of the ancient Egyptians and the Romans to the founding of the first Muslim city of al-Fustat.

The History and Religious Heritage of Old Cairo

Its Fortress, Churches, Synagogue, and Mosque

Description

Recipient of the 2013 PROSE Awards Architecture & Urban Planning honorable mentionJust to the south of modern Cairo stands the historic enclave known as Old Cairo, which grew up in and around the Roman fortress of Babylon, and which today hosts a unique collection of monuments that attest to the shared cultural heritage of ancient Egyptians, Christians, Jews, and Muslims.In this lavishly illustrated celebration of a very special place, renowned photographer Sherif Sonbol's remarkable images of the fortress, churches, synagogue, and mosque illuminate the living fabric of the ancient and medieval stones, while Gawdat Gabra describes the history of Old Cairo from the time of the ancient Egyptians and the Romans to the founding of the first Muslim city of al-Fustat. Stefan Reif focuses on the Jewish history of the area, exploring the famous Genizah documents found in the Ben Ezra Synagogue that tell so much about everyday life in medieval Egypt. Gertrud van Loon looks at the early Coptic Christian churches, some of the oldest in the world, and Tarek Swelim describes the arrival of the Muslims in the seventh century, their establishment of al-Fustat on the edge of Old Cairo, and the building of the Mosque of 'Amr ibn al-'As, the oldest mosque in Africa.

The History and Religious Heritage of Old Cairo

Its Fortress, Churches, Synagogue, and Mosque

Author Information

CAROLYN LUDWIG is the author of Jewels in Our Crown: Churches of Los Angeles (2003) and editor of The Churches of Egypt (AUC Press, 2007). She lives in Los Angeles and is a frequent visitor to Egypt.

SHERIF SONBOL is a highly regarded Egyptian photographer. He has contributed photographs to numerous illustrated books, including The Churches of Egypt (AUC Press, 2008) and The Nile Cruise (AUC Press, 2010).

GAWDAT GABRA is the former director of the Coptic Museum and the author, coauthor, or editor of numerous books on the history and culture of Egyptian Christianity, including The Treasures of Coptic Art (AUC Press, 2006) and The Churches of Egypt (AUC Press, 2007). He is currently visiting professor of Coptic studies at Claremont Graduate University, California.

GERTRUD J.M. VAN LOON specializes in Coptic art and archaeology. She holds a PhD from Leiden University. She is currently a fellow at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium. She is the coauthor of The Churches of Egypt (AUC Press, 2007).

STEFAN REIF is professor emeritus of medieval Hebrew studies and fellow of St John's College at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of many books and articles, including most recently A Jewish Archive from Old Cairo, Problems with Prayers, and Charles Taylor and the Genizah Collection.

TAREK SWELIM earned his PhD in Islamic art and architecture from Harvard University. He has taught at the American University in Cairo, and is the author of diverse publications on Mamluk, Ottoman, and Roman architecture. He is a lecturer and guide, leading tours for prestigious American institutions throughout Egypt, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Contributors:

Gawdat Gabra, Claremont Graduate UniversityGertrud J.M. van loon, Catholic University of LeuvenStefan Reif, St John's College at the University of CambridgeTarek Swelim, American University in Cairo

The History and Religious Heritage of Old Cairo

Its Fortress, Churches, Synagogue, and Mosque

Reviews and Awards

"Cairo is not only the crossroads of civilizations and the cradle of Arab nationalism and of Islam, it is also a multi-dimensional mosaic of religions and religious heritage. Carolyn Ludwig has captured these textured layers of past and present in this delightful book that focuses on Old Cairo. The pictures are magnificent. Each alley and byway comes alive. The scholarly articles artfully explain and envelope the history and majesty of the mosques, churches, and synagogue. Ms. Ludwig draws the reader into the mystery and allure of Cairo."--Daniel Kurtzer, former US ambassador to Egypt

"Old Cairo encompasses a rich treasure of history, tradition, and culture and houses the world's most profound collection of ancient Egyptian, Christian, Jewish, and Islamic heritage, representing every historical era. This deeply informative and illustrated volume explains and illuminates the aesthetic and the religious importance of Old Cairo: the authors have crafted a very timely book for anyone interested in Old Cairo's rich religious tradition, an excellent eye opener to a shared cultural history that is seemingly crucial for all of us to be cognizant of."Dr Ali Gomaa, Grand Mufti of Egypt

"A wonderful book with lovely photographs that take us into the heart of this special area . . . . The text is detailed and scholarly, while Sherif Sonbol's photographs and Morris Jackson's design are exquisite, bringing the area and its history alive. This book is truly a collaborative effort, fitting for an area so rich in the history of so many people."--Egypt Today